**Juan Manuel Sánchez Encourages Tijuana Residents to Report Extortion**
Juan Manuel Sánchez Rosales, the new Secretary of Citizen Security, is urging citizens in Tijuana to report incidents of extortion and the collection of “protection money,” placing trust in the municipal police force. When questioned about organized crime’s extortion activities, Sánchez, appointed on the recommendation of the federal Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch, emphasized the importance of filing reports to develop an effective strategy against this issue impacting businesses.
He explained, “We need to differentiate between attempted extortion and actual extortion. Regrettably, if extortion occurs and isn’t reported, there’s no way for us to know. First, we must document these incidents. Then, conduct intelligence analysis to understand the dynamics and identify those responsible. We’ve established agreements with the relevant institutions and the municipal president to collaborate with the Prosecutor’s Office in analyzing the primary actors committing these crimes. We rely on citizens’ trust to inform us of initial extortion attempts.”
Another challenge mentioned by Sánchez is the shortage of police officers. Tijuana currently has 2,500 officers on the payroll, yet 300 are on medical leave and a number face legal scrutiny over the potential falsity of these claims. Additionally, 750 officers have yet to pass the critical control and confidence exams necessary for firearm certification.
Both Sánchez and the Mayor, Ismael Burgueño, highlighted the revival of Crime Prevention Programs, with the Sánchez Taboada district being among the first to receive focused attention. “We will focus directly on Sánchez Taboada with infrastructure improvements and initiatives in crime prevention, sports, arts, and culture. Our aim is to provide young people an environment conducive to healthy choices,” noted Mayor Burgueño.
While keeping certain details private, Sánchez Rosales reflected on his prior work as an independent advisor, including collaboration with Mexico City’s Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum. His ties to Baja California stem back to the 1990s, having family roots in Mexicali.
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**Additional Coverage**
Currently, Tijuana’s business community is under mounting pressure from extortion schemes linked to organized crime. Over the last year, businesses have faced increasing demands for protection payments, often under threat of violence. Authorities attribute part of the crime wave to gangs vying for territorial dominance. Efforts are underway to bolster security measures with increased patrols and community outreach programs aimed at fostering cooperation between the police and citizens.
In parallel, the municipal government has announced plans to enhance surveillance technology across critical areas to deter crime effectively. As part of a larger strategy to tackle organized crime head-on, these efforts are poised to restore confidence and security within Tijuana’s commercial sectors.